Method and apparatus for producing color cards



Jan. 25, 1966 E. F. TOWNSEND 3,231,406

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRQDUCING COLOR CARDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5 1962 INVENTOR. Edwin .F Ybwnsenc/ M n ym; Y 62% as Jan. 25', 1966 E. F. TOWNSEND 3,231,406

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COLOR CARDS Filed April 5, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 r 64 :5; I 719 Q I I v I i -i 2? 26'? l I T' 1 I 90* 3 g6 IV INVENTOR. fawm F Ybwnsend affi s Jan. 25, 1966 E. F. TOWNSEND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COLOR CARDS Filed April 5, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Z'dzuzn I Townsend BY 5 M fig 1966 E. F. TOWNSEND 31,

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COLOR CARDS Filed April 5, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 flpplicafor I20 r 7 1 vslu F0110 18/ 04 22M as INVEN TOR.

HG J4 Edwin F Townsend United States Patent O 3,231,406 NIETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COLOR CARDS Edwin F. Townsend, Palos Hills, Ili., assignor to The Walker Press, Limited, Paris, Ontario, Qanada, a corporation of Canada Filed Apr. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 185,400 24 Claims. (Cl. 117-37) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing color cards of the type commonly used in the paint industry to illustrate paint colors.

One object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing color cards in a continuous manner. This aspect is in contrast to prior methods and apparatus wherein the color cards are produced by discontinuous or intermittent action. The present method and apparatus benefit greatly from the increased speed and uniformity of performance afforded by continuous action.

Another object is to provide a continuous-type method and apparatus for producing color cards wherein the color swatches or paint chips applied to the card are well defined, and characterized by sharp edges on both sides and both ends.

Still another object is to provide such a method and apparatus wherein the paint chips have uniform coloring and texture throughout, and are free of bubbles or other surface discontinuities.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for producing color cards which is substantially automatic in operation, it being necessary only to maintain a supply of blank cards in an associated feed hopper. Simple adjustments are provided to vary the length of the applied paint chips and the location of the chips on a card.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention relate to various components of the apparatus such as the coloring material applicators, the coloring material reservoirs, the means for transferring metered amounts of coloring material from the reservoirs to the applicators and a preferred electrical control system.

Other objects, advantages and details of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the apparatus is shown. It is to be understood that the description and drawings are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view in simplified diagrammatic form of apparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in simplified diagram matic form of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, certain components being omitted for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing the relationship between a color card and a pair of switches serving to control the length of the paint chips applied to the card.

FIG. 5 is an amplified sectional view on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing certain details of the apparatus, particularly the coloring material applicators and structure for mounting same.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an applicator taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view, partly in longitudinal sections, showing further details of the coloring material applicators and the structure for mounting same, including a portion of the carriage on which all applicators are mounted.

3,231,406 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of an applicator showing the operational relationship between the applicator tip and a card on which a paint chip is being deposited.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the travel path of an applicator tip during a cycle of apparatus operation. v

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the coloring material reservoirs used in the invention.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view, partly in transverse section, showing details of the coloring material feeding system used in the invention, including a reservoir, the parts associated with the reservoir, a feed valve and an applicator.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly broken away, of a plurality of reservoirs, showing in greater detail the parts associated with the reservoirs.

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of an electrical control system suitable for use in the invention, certain mechanical movements being shown in diagrammatic form to better illustrate the several actions of the apparatus in the course of a single cycle.

To facilitate explanation of the invention, the method aspect will be described first.

The method of the invention contemplates the production of one or more color cards in a continuous manner.

It includes an initial step of moving coloring sheet ma terial, for example one or more blank cards, at uniform speed along a path. A moving card is engaged by a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced color applicators which at the instant of engagement are travelling in the direction and substantially at the speed of the card. 7

As the applicators engage the moving card, viscous colon-ing material is fed to and through the color applicators and is deposited on the card. At the same time the travel speed of the applicators is reduced, preferably to zero speed, and the applicators are maintained in engagement with the moving card until paint chips of approximately desired length have been appl'ie'd.

When the deposited paint chips are at approximately desired length, the feeding of the coloring material to the applicators is discontinued. At about the same time the travel speed of the applicators is increased to substantially the speed of the moving card. Thereafter the applicators are disengaged [from the card, thus completing the production of a color card containing as many paint chips as there are applicators, the relative locations of the chips on the card corresponding to the relative locations of the several applicators. v

The method described aboveis effective to produce color cards at a comparatively high rate of cards per minute. The leading, trailing and lateral edges of the paint chips are characterized by sharpness, and the .chip

surfaces-have highly uniform coloration and freedom from objectionable discontinuities.

A modification of the method described above con: templates an initial step of moving coloring sheet material, for example, one or more blank cards, at uniform speed along a path. A moving card is en-gaged'by .-a printer which at the time of engagement is moving in'the direction and at the speed of the card. The printer is such that mere engagement with the card is all. that is necessary to deposit the paint chips from the printer, i.e., there is no reduction in the speed of the printer during the engagement period. After the paint chips are deposited, the printer is disengaged from the card and returned, in reverse direction, to starting position.

Coming now to the apparatus aspect of the invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the overall assembly in simplified form. The apparatus first will be described generally,

followed by more specific description of various components parts.

(a) General description of apparatus Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a feed conveyor 18 of conventional character is provided at the rear end of main apparatus 20 of the invention.

Appanatus 20' includes a suitable support 21, shown fragmentarily in FIG. 1. Support 21 may comprise one or more framework structures designed to mount the several components of the apparatus.

Aconveyor 23 including end rollers 24 and 25, a conveyor belt 26 and a tension roller 27 (FIG. 2) is mounted for longitudinal conveying action on support 21. The upper course of belt 26 travels over a flat backup plate 28 (FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 8) mounted on support 21. Plate 28, which may be plate glass, imparts a firm, flat surface to the upper course of conveyor belt 26.

The various mechanical movements of apparatus 20, later to be described in detail, are powered by one or more motors. As here shown, a single motor 30 is provided for power purposes. Motor 30, as shown, is connected by belt 31 to pulley 32 of a gear train represented diagrammatically by gear box 33. A drive shaft 34 and associated clutch 35 connect the gear train to roller 25 of conveyor 23. During apparatus operation, the upper course of conveyor belt 26 travels from left to right, looking at FIG. 1.

Three blank cards 38 [are shown in broken line in FIG. 1. The illustrated cards 38 are of exemplary size and spacing, compared with the size of the illustrated ap paratus. These cards and those following are moved from left to right through the apparatus at comparatively high speed. The illustrated inclination of rear conveyor 18 with respect to conveyor 23 insures that a card 38 will assume a position at the right hand edge of conveyor 23, viewed in the direction of card travel.

Suitable hold-down means 40 (FIG. 3), such as spring biased rollers, are located at the right hand margin of conveyor 23. The hold-down means insure that a card will be guided properly along the right hand margin of conveyor 23 and will have effective frictional relation with moving belt 26.

A carriage 42 including elongated lateral members 43 and 44 is mounted on support 21 for limited movement with respect to the support and particularly to conveyor 23.

Suitable means are provided for moving carriage 42 in translatory manner on a closed path. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, this means comprises a pair of spaced bearings 45 and 46 on each lateral member, and a rotatable eccentric 47 journalled in each bearing. Eccentrics 47 are mounted on transverse shafts 49 and 58 carried by support 21, and, as shown, the shafts are ganged together for synchronous rotation by chain 51 (FIG. 1). Shaft is driven from the gear train in gear box 33 through a magnetic clutch 53. A magnetic brake is connected functionally between shaft 49 and support 21. The operation of clutch 53 and brake 55 in a cycle of apparatus operation will be described later.

From the foregoing it is apparent that carriage 42 is movable in translatory manner on a closed circular path. As will be seen, carriage movement is controlled accurately and suddenly by clutch 53 and brake 55.

A plurality of coloring material applicators are mounted on carriage 42 above the upper course of conveyor belt 26. Applicators 60, as shown, are secured to transverse bars 62 which extend in parallel relation between lateral members 43 and 44 of the carriage. The ends of bars 62 are received in blocks 64 (best shown in FIGS. 6 and 8) secured to lateral members 43 and 44. Blocks 64 are adjustable along members 43 and 44 so the longitudinal spacing of bars 62 may be varied. Similarly, applicators 60 are slidable along bars 62 so that the transverse spacing between adjacent applicators may be varied.

Each applicator 60 is connected by means of a flexible tube 66 to an individual control or feed valve which meters a quantity of coloring material to the applicator as a paint chip is being formed. As shown, the several individual valves, one for each applicator 60, are part of a single valve means 68. The individual control valves in valve means 68 are operated in synchronism, and are actuated from the gear train in gear box 33 (FIG. 1) by a shaft 70, magnetic valve clutch 71 and magnetic valve brake 72. The latter is connected to an adjacent part of support 21.

The inlet ports of the several control valves in valve means 68 are connected by tubes 74 to respective reservoirs 75 which preferably are arranged in a bank 76. As will be seen later, the several reservoirs 75 have means for feeding coloring material contained therein to the individual control valves of valve means 68. The control valves, in turn, function to feed coloring material to the respective applicators 60 when the latter are in engagement with a card 38.

Clutch 71 and brake 72 accurately control the timing of valve means 68, and insure that coloring material is fed to applicators 60 only during the desired intervals when carriage 42 is substantially in down position and the applicators 60 are in engagement with a card 38.

A suitable exit conveyor 78 may be provided at the forward end of an apparatus 20 to transport the imprinted color cards 38 away from the apparatus, e.g., to an oven for drying.

An initiating switch 80 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5) responsive to the position of a card 38 is mounted above the right hand side of the conveyor. Switch 80, which starts a cycle of apparatus operation, is adjustable longitudinally of the apparatus to accommodate cards of various sizes and provide variation in the location of the applied paint chips on a card. A terminating switch 81, also actuated by a card 38, is mounted for longitudinal. adjustment adjacent initiating switch 80. In general, the adjusted spacing between switches 80 and 81 determines the length of the applied paint chips.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, switches 80 and 81 have feelers 82 and 83 which ride on the upper surface of a moving card 38. The switches are open when the feelers are in engagement with a card. When a card 38 travels beyond the respective switches, the feelers 82 and 83 drop from the trailing card edge and cause the switches to close. As shown in FIG. 5, a switch bar 85 is located immediately below the two switches at the right hand edge of conveyor belt 26. Bar 85 has a longitudinal recess 86 in alignment with switch feelers 82 and 83, a card 38 extending over the recess. When a card 38 travels beyond a switch, the switch feeler drops from the trailing edge of the card and into recess 86, thereby immediately closing the switch.

Initiating and terminating switches 80 and 81 are connected in circuit with an electrical control system. An example of a suitable systemis shown in FIG. 14 and will be described in detail later. The control system, as will be seen, serves to start and stop the movement of carriage 42 twice during a cycle of apparatus operation and to open and close the control valves of valve means 68 in properly timed relation with the carriage movement. A cycle of apparatus operation now will be described.

(b) Description of apparatus operation A blank card 38 enters conveyor 23 and is transported from left to right along the right hand margin of the conveyor. The card elevates the feelers 82 and 83 of initiating and terminating switches 80 and 81, thereby opening both switches.

When the trailing edge of a card 38 passes beyond feeler 82 of initiating switch 80, the switch closes. This action, through the control system, deenergizes carriage brake 55 and energizes carriage clutch 53. Carriage 42 moves from its rest or up position rearwardly, downwardly and then forwardly to its down position where applicators 60 come into engagement with the card. The gear train in gear box 33 is such that at the time applicators 6t engage card 38 they are traveling in' the direction and substantially at the speed of the card. There thus is no appreciable relative movement between the applicators and the card at the moment of engagement. This cooperates to give a sharp leading edge to the paint chips.

When applicators 60 engage the card, carriage 42 and applicators 60 have traveled through approximately 180 degrees of their 360 degree closed circular path. At this instant the movement of carriage 42 and applicators 60 is reduced, and in the form of the apparatus shown, is stopped. This is accomplished by the control system which simultaneously deenergizes carriage clutch 53 and energizes carriage brake 55.

Shortly before applicators 60 engage a card 38, the feed of coloring material to the applicators is started. The coloring material on the inlet sides of the control valves of valve means 68 is placed under pneumatic pressure, and valve clutch 71 of valve means 68 is energized to start movement of the valves to open position. By the time applicators 60 engage the card, the valves are sufliciently open to provide the coloring material required to initiate the paint chips with sharp and uniform leading edges.

When control valves in valve means 68 are fully opened, a position switch applies a pulse to the control system which, in turn, deenergizes valve clutch 71 and energizes valve brake 72, thereby stopping the control valves in open position. This permits a continuous flow of coloring material through the valves and applicators 60 to card 38 during the period the paint chips are applied.

Each applicator 60 constitutes a portion of an extrusion die for the applied coloring material. The remaining portion of the die formed by the card itself which at this and all other times is moving at the speed of conveyor belt 26.

When the paint chips approximate predetermined length, the trailing edge of card 38 passes beyond feeler 83 of terminating switch 81, and the switch closes. This action causes a pulse to be applied to the control system which, in turn, deenergizes valve brake 72 and energizes valve clutch 71. This causes the several control valves in valve means 68 to close, thereby stopping the flow of coloring material to applicators 60. Subsequently a position switch causes the control system to deenergize valve clutch 71 and energize valve brake 72, thereby stopping the valves in closed position.

As the control valves are closing, a position switch associated with the valves applies a pulse to the control system which, in turn, deenergizes carriage brake 55 and energizes carriage clutch 53. As a result, carriage 42 immediately begins to move forward, and quickly is brought to the speed of the moving card. The carriage and associated applicators 60 also move upwardly, and at the time the applicators become disengaged from the card they are traveling approximately at card speed. Further, at this time the flow of coloring material to applicators 60 has been stopped. This combination of factors is such that a sharp trailing or cutoff edge is given to the paint chips.

When carriage 42 reaches its up or 360 degree position, a switch associated with transverse shaft 49 or 50 closes. A pulse from this switch is applied to the control system which, in turn, deenergizes carriage clutch 53 and energizes carriage brake 55, thereby stopping the carriage in up position. This terminates a cycle of apparatus operation, and the imprinted card is moved away on exit conveyor 78.

The terms color card," liquid coloring material and paint chips are used throughout this specification in an exemplary and not a limiting sense. While the method and apparatus of the invention will find extensive use in producing color cards for the paint industry, it is understood that the method and apparatus are well suited for the application of colorless material in overlay work, and the claims are to be construed accordingly.

- (c) Description of applicators 60 Applicators 60 are shown in detailin FIGS. 69.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plurality of applicators mounted on a single carriage bar 62 in transversely spaced relation, while FIG. 8 shows a plurality of applicators on adjacent carriage bars 62. As previously mentioned, bars 62 are adjustable longitudinally on carriage 42 and applicators 60 are adjustable transversely on the bars 62, so that the relative locations of the several paint chips applied to a card may be varied widely.

Referring to FIG. 8, an applicator includes a body member 90, usually a shaped block of metal. The width or transverse dimension of body member 96 is. somewhat larger than the width of the paint chip for which the applicator is designed. As shown, the lower part of body member terminates in a foot 91 having a relatively short longitudinal dimension. Foot 91 of the applicator is the portion which engages a card 38. I

' As best shown in FIG. 6, the forward vertical surface of body member 90 has a generally rectangular feed recess 92 which extends upwardly from the lower edge of foot 91. Recess 92 has a width or transverse dimension equal to the width of the paint chip for which the applicator is designed. The lower portion of recess 92 has a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the paint chip. The upper portion of recess 92, designated 93, has a depth about twice that of the lower portion. The increased depth of upper recess portion 93 cooperates to insure the presence of an adequate supply of coloring material during the formation of a paint chip.

Upper recess portion 93 communicates with a passageway'94 in body member 90 which is connected to flexible tube 66 leading from valve means 68. Passageway 94 has a size corresponding to the inner diameter of tube 66 (FIG. 8).

v A plate member 96 is secured to the forward surface of body member 90 in overlying relationship with the major part of recess 92. As best shown in FIG. 9, the lower edge 97 of plate member 96 is spaced above the lower edge of body member foot 91 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a paint chip 98. The lower forward edge portion of plate 96 tapers upwardly and outwardly from the bottom, as shown at 99.

While the applicators 60 illustrated in the drawings anddescribed above have the feed recess 92 in the body member 90, it will be understood that'the recess may be formed in plate member 96, or partly in the body member and partlyin the plate member.

Foot 91, the lower part of plate member 96 and a moving card 38 constitute an extrusion die through which the coloring material passes from applicator 60 to the card 38. The fluid pressure applied to the coloring material is selected with regard to the viscosity of the coloring material and the pressure drop in the fluid system so that precisely the proper amount of coloring material is applied which will produce a paint chip 98 having sharp edges and uniform composition. In practice, the applied pressure is adjusted to achieve perfect paint chips;

Any suitable arrangement may be employed for mount ing applicators 60 on the bars 62. As shown in FIG. 8, a body member 90 is provided with a recess 100 in its upper forward surface. The recess snugly receives the lower edge of bar 62, and plate member 96 engages the front face of the bar. A pin 101 or the like engages the top edge of bar 62. The applicators are slid onto bar 62 from one bar end and located transversely where desired. A suitable clamp (not shown) is used to secure an applicator in desired position.

(d) Coloring material reservoirs and feeding means The coloring material reservoirs and associated means for feeding coloring material from the reservoirs to applicators 60 are set forth in detail in FIGS. 11-13.

A preferred form of reservoir 75 is shown in FIG. 11. The reservoir is generally rectangular in shape, and is provided with an open top 77. The illustrated reservoirs are comparatively narrow in width so they conveniently may be mounted in a bank 76 (FIGS. 1 and 13) in side-by-side manner adjacent valve means 68.

Referring to the right in FIG. 12, a lower corner 103 of a reservoir 75 rests on a longitudinal member 104 of support 21. Each reservoir 75 is held is position by a pin 106 which projects downwardly from an upper longitudinal member 107 of support 21. A reservoir easily is removable, as indicated in broken line in FIG. 12.

A quantity of liquid coloring material 110 is shown in reservoir 75 in FIG. 12.

Each reservoir has a standpipe 112 extending from a point near the reservoir bottom to the exterior. A valve unit 113 is connected to the lower end of each standpipe 112. Unit 113 includes a valve element 114 located between the lower end of standpipe 112 and the reservoir interior.

As shown, valve element 114 has an elongated valve stem 115 extending to the reservoir exterior alongside standpipe 112. Stern 115 has a collar 116 adjacent valve unit 113, and a compression spring 117 surrounds the valve stem between collar 116 and unit 113. Spring 117 biases valve element 114 to closed position, at which time the lower end of standpipe 112 is isolated from the coloring material 110 contaned in the reservoir. As will be seen later, valve stem 115 is actuated periodically from the exterior to admit a supply of coloring material to the standpipe.

Referring to the central portion of FIG. 12, the valve means 68 of FIG. 1 is shown in cross section. Valve means 68 includes a plurality of side-by-side control valves 120, there being one control valve 120 for each reservoir 75 and each applicator 60.

A control valve 120 has an inlet port 121 which is connected by a supply tube 74 previously mentioned, to a reservoir 75. Referring to reservoir 75, a tube 123 extends from valve unit 113 at the lower end of standpipe 112 to upper longitudinal member 107. This member has a passageway 124 to which tube 123 is connected.

A needle valve 125 or the like is provided between the lower end of standpipe 112 and control valve 120 for varying the flow resistance to accommodate liquid coloring materials of different viscosities. As shown, valve 125 conveniently is located in passageway 124 of. memher 107.

A tubular housing 127 mounted in member 107 communicates with passageway 124. Housing 127 encloses a tubular filter 128 which is closed at its lower end. Filter 128 readily is removable for cleaning, and it is to be noted that the flow of coloring material is from the outside to the inside of the filter. This feature, of course, facilitates filter cleaning. As shown, supply tube 74 is connected to a removable cap 129 on the free end of housing 127.

A control valve 120 has one or more outlet ports 132. The valve 120 illustrated in FIG. 12 has four outlet ports 132, one of which is shown connected by tube 66 to an applicator 60. The remaining outlet ports 132 are available for connection to other applicators so the apparatus may be used to produce simultaneously a plurality of like color cards.

An adjustable valve rod133 is-provided for directing the output of control valve 120 to the desired outlet ports 132. Rod 133 is retained in set position by suitable means 134.

A control valve 120 includes a slidable valve element 136 which opens and closes passageway 137 through the valve. Valve element 136 is actuated by previously mentioned shaft 70 which is driven by motor 30 (FIG. 1) through the gear train in gear box 33. Valve clutch 71 and valve brake 72, previously described, are associated with shaft 70 and are effective to control with precision the movement of valve element 136.

A suitable means for moving the several control valve elements 136 from rotatable shaft 70 is illustrated in FIG. 12. As shown, shaft 70 carries an eccentric 140 which is journalled in a bearing 141 at one end of a. link 142. The other end of link 142 is pivoted at 143 to a slider 144 which is adapted to reciprocate on track 145. Slider 144 extends along the length of valve means 68 so that all valve elements 136 may be actuated by the slider.

Slider 144 has yoke members 147 which are engaged by valve stems 148 of the valve elements. The valve stems 148 may be threaded and provided with nuts for fine adjustment of the valve elements.

As previously mentioned, a control valve 120 normally is closed to block the flow of coloring material to an applicator 60. Just before an applicator 60 engages a card 38, control valve 120 begins to open. It is partly open at the time applicator 60 makes contact with a card. The valve quickly moves to fully open position and stops in such position during the time a paint chip is being formed. When the pain chip is approximately at desired length, valve 120 starts to close. It closes quickly and is fully closed when applicator 60 breaks its engagement with the card. Thereafter valve 120 stops in closed position.

Coloring material 110 from a reservoir 75 is fed to inlet port 121 of control valve 120 in timed relation with the aforesaid action of the valve. The manner in which this feeding occurs now will be described.

Still referring to FIG. 12, the upper end of each reservoir standpipe 112 is connected by a tube 150 to a manifold 151. A valve device 152 is connected to manifold 151 by a pipe 153. A pipe 154 leads fromvalve device 152 to a source 155 of pressurized gas. A port 156 in valve device 152 provides a vent to atmosphere. This port is open when the apparatus is in rest position.

Va lve device 152 includes an actuator 157 which has three functional positions. These positions are (1) a rest position where the pressure is blocked and manifold 151 is vented to atmosphere, (2) an intermediate position where port 156 is closed to atmosphere and the pressure still is blocked, and (3) a position were port 156 is closed and the pressurized gas is admitted to manifold 151.

Actuator 157 is moved to its several positions by means of an arm 160 mounted on a rocking shaft 161. This shaft carries a second arm 162 which in turn carries an elongated bar 163. The latter is adapted periodically to engage the upper ends of the valve stems 115 which actuate the valve elements 114 in the several reservoirs 75.

Rocking shaft 161 is rotated in any suitable manner. As shown, shaft 161 has an arm 163 which is pivoted at 164 to the piston rod of a pneumatic device 165. A solenoid valve (not shown) actuates pneumatic device 165 when it is necessary to feed a supply of coloring material 110 to control valves 120.

In rest position, pneumatic device 165 is extended so that rocking shaft 161 is in a counterclockwise position and bar 163 holds valve elements 114 in open position. At this time the lower ends of standpipes 112 communicate with the reservoir interiors and the levels of the coloring material in the standpipes is the same as in the respective reservoirs 75.

Shortly before it is necessary to supply coloring material to control valves 120, pneumatic device 165 retracts and rotates shaft 161 in clockwise direction. Bar 163 first is removed from valve stem 115, and valve springs 117 are effective to close the valve elements 114. Next, arm 160 on shaft 161 engages actuator 157 of valve device 152. During the first travel portion of actuator 157, previously open port 156 of the valve device is closed. On continued travel of actuator 157, pressurized gas is admitted to manifold 151. The pressure in manifold 151 causes a flow of coloring material through a standpipe 112, tube 123, passageway filter 128 and supply tube 74 to the inlet port 121 of a control valve 120. Thus, when valve 120 opens, coloring material flows through tube 66 to an applicator 60 for deposit on a moving card 38.

After control valve 120 is closed following completion of a paint chip, pneumatic device 165 reverses and rocking shaft 161 rotates in counterclockwise direction. The pressure from source 155 is removed from manifold 151 and the latter is vented to atmosphere. When shaft 161 reaches rest position, bar 163 engages the valve stem 115 and opens the valve elements 114. When this occurs, coloring material 110 from a reservoir 75 enters the standpipe 112 to replace the material previously applied through applicator 60.

The above described arrangement for feeding coloring material from the reservoirs 75 to the applicators 60 functions precisely and efiiciently. The mechanisms used are such that adjustment, maintenance and cleaning problems are a minimum. The open reservoirs are easy to keep filled during an extended run of the apparatus, and they easily are removed for the changeover required for different coloring materials.

(e) Electrical control system An electrical control system designed for use in the color card apparatus is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 14. Certain mechanical parts of the apparatus also are shown in FIG. 14 to facilitate description.

It previously has been mentioned that the sequence controls of the apparatus include a number of position switches. As will be seen now, some of these switches are associated with the carriage 42 mechanism, and other of the switches are associated with the valve means 68 mechanism.

Referring to the left in FIG. 14, the carriage switches include a grounded rotatable switch arm 170 and cooperating stationary switch terminals 171, 172 and 173. Switch arm 170 is carried on a convenient part of the carriage moving means, e.g., shaft 49 adjacent carriage brake 55. Stationary switch terminal 172, which cooperates with arm 170 to actuate valve means 68, is adjustable angularly for timing, as indicated by the arrows on the drawing. Stationary switch terminals 171 and 173 cooperate, as will be seen, with switch arm 170 to stop carriage 42 in up and down positions, respectively.

The switches associated with valves 120 include a grounded rotatable switch arm 175. This arm conveniently is carried by shaft 70 on the driven side of valve clutch 71. The valve switches also include stationary switch terminals 176, 177 and 178. The latter, which cooperates with arm 175 to start carriage movement in the last stages of paint chip formation, is adjustable for timing, as indicated by the arrows. Terminals 176 and 177 cooperate with arm 175 to stop valves 120 in valve closed and valve opened positions, respectively.-

Magnetic clutch 53 and magnetic brake 55 of the means for moving carriage 42, and magnetic clutch 71 and magnetic brake 72 for valves 120 are shown diagrammatically as coils bearing the same reference numerals. It will be understood that when these coils are energized or deenergized, the respective clutches and brakes will be energized or deenergized. 4 Referring to the bottom of FIG. 14,'a cycle of apparatus operation is initiated, as previously described, when feeler 82 of initiating switch drops from the trailing edge of a moving blank card 38, thereby closing switch 80. Alternatively, an initiating switch could be actuated by the leading edge of a card.

When switch 80 closes a negative bias voltage from source 180 is applied to grid 181 of then-conducting amplifier tube 182. The tube immediately becomes nonconducting, and an amplified positive pulse is applied through capacitance 183 to grid 184 of tube 185 in controlled multivibrator 186 (the carriage multivibrator). Tube 185 preferably is of the grid-controlled gas conduction type, commonly called a thyratron.

The positive pulse applied to grid 184 causes tube 185 to conduct, thereby energizing carriage clutch 53 and deenergizing carriage brake 55. The latter action occurs due to reversal in multivibrator 186, that is, when tube 185 becomes conducting, companion thyratron tube 190 in circuit with brake 55 becomes non-conducting.

When carriage clutch 53 is energized, carriage 42 immediately begins its rotary travel from up or rest position (top left in FIG. 14) rearwardly, downwardly and forwardly toward traveling card 38. Switch arm 170 rotates with carriage shaft 49 away from stationary terminal 171 and toward stationary terminal 172. It engages terminal 172 at about the degree point in the carriage cycle.

When switch arm 170 engages terminal 172, a pulse is applied through conductor 192 to grid 193 of thyratron tube 194 in a second controlled multivibrator 196 (the valve multivibrator). This pulse causes tube 194 to conduct, thereby energizing valve clutch 71. At the same time, then-conducting companion thyratron tube 198 in multivibrator 196 is cut off, thereby deenergizing valve brake 72. At this time the individual control valves of valve means 68 start to travel from closed to opened position.

Referring back to the carriage switches, when rotatable switch arm engages switch terminal 173, carriage 42 abruptly stops in down position where applicators 60 engage card 38. This is accomplished by a pulse generated at switch terminal 173, the pulse being applied through conductor 200 to grid 201 of tube 190. The tube immediately becomes conducting, thereby energizing carriage brake 55. At the same time companion tube 185 becomes non-conducting, thereby deenergizing carriage clutch 53.

Meanwhile, referring to the valve switches, switch arm engages switch terminal 177, thereby generating a pulse which is applied through conductor 203 to grid 204 of tube 198 in multivibrator 196. This pulse causes tube 198 to conduct and energize valve brake 72. At the same time tube 194 becomes non-conducting, thereby deenergizing valve clutch 71. Control valves 120 of valve means 68 thus stop in opened position.

With carriage 42 stopped in down position and control valves 120 stopped in opened position, paint chips 98 are applied to card 38.

When the paint chips approximate desired length, feeler 83 of terminating switch 81 drops from the trailing edge of card 38 and closes switch 81. Negative bias volt age from source is applied to grid 207 of thenconducting amplifier tube 208. The tube immediately becomes non-conducting, and applies a positive pulse through capacitance 209 to grid 193 of tube 194 in valve multivibrator 196. Tube 194 becomes conducting and companion tube 198 becomes non-conducting,'thereby energizing valve clutch 71 and deenergizing valve brake -72. As a result, control valves 120 of valve means 68 start to close. Also, the rotational travel of valve switch arm 1751s resumed.

Valve switch arm 175 presently engages switch terminal 178 and generates a pulse which is applied through conductor 210 to grid 184 of tube in carriage multivibrator186. Tube 185 immediately begins to conduct,

thereby energizing carriage clutch 53 and deenergizing carriage brake 55. Carriage movement thus is resumed, and applicators 60 immediately are brought to substantially the speed of traveling card 38. At the same time the applicators are elevated out of engagement with the traveling card 38. Also, the rotational travel of carriage switch arm 170 is resumed.

Separation of applicators 60 from the card is substan tially coincident with full closure of control valves 12%). These actions cooperate to' break the film of applied coloring material in such a way as to leave a sharp and regular trailing edge on each paint chip.

Carriage switch arm 170 continues rotation until engagement with switch terminal 171. A pulse generated by this engagement is applied through conductor 200 to grid 201 of tube 190 in carriage multivibrator 186. The tube becomes conducting, thereby energizing carriage brake 155 and deenergizing carriage clutch 53. Carriage 42 stops immediately in up or rest position, thereby completing a cycle of operation.

At the time carriage switch arm 170 is completing its cycle, valve switch arm 175 also is completing its cycle. When switch arm 175 engages terminal 176, a pulse is applied through conductor 203 to grid 204 of tube 198 in valve multivibrator 196. Tube 198 immediately becomes conducting, thereby energizing valve brake 72 and cleenergizing valve clutch 71. The control valves 120 thus stop abruptly in closed position, thereby also completing a cycle of operation.

The electrical control system illustrated in the drawings and described above, together with the associated position switches and magnetic clutches and brakes, has been found to produce highly satisfactory results in the present apparatus. It is to be understood, however, that this control system merely is exemplary, and that other equivalent systems may be used.

The liquid material used in the apparatus preferably is fast drying, and flexible in character so the applied film will not crack or break. If colored, it should possess excellent color retention and Well simulate the color of the paint it represents. It also should possess a gloss comparable to that of its counterpart paint.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method for producing color cards comprising the steps of z moving a card at uniform speed along a path;

initiating movement of a printer from starting position;

engaging the card with the printer which at the instant of engagement is traveling in the direction and at the speed of the card, thereby imprinting the card;

disengaging the printer from the card While both are traveling at the same speed;

returning the printer, in reverse direction, to starting position, and

stopping the movement of the printer at starting position.

2. The method for producing color cards comprising the steps of:

moving a card at uniform speed along a path;

engaging the card with color applicators which at the instant of engagement are traveling in the direction and substantially at the speed of the card;

reducing the travel speed of the color applicators and maintaining them in engagement with the moving card until colorations of approximately desired length have been applied;

increasing the travel speed of the color applicators to substantially the speed of the card, and thereafter disengaging the color applicators from the moving card. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of reducing the travel speed of the color applicators involves a 5 substantially instantaneous reduction to zero speed.

4. The method for producing color cards comprising the steps of:

moving a card at uniform speed along a path; engaging the card with a plurality of color applicators which at the instant of engagement are traveling in the direction and substantially at the speed of the card; feeding liquid coloring material to the color applicators immediately on engagement thereof with the color card; reducing the travel speed of the color applicators and maintaining them in engagement with the moving card until colorations of approximately desired length have been applied; discontinuing the feeding of coloring material to the color applicators; increasing the travel speed of the color applicators to substantially the speed of the card, and thereafter disengaging the color applicators from the moving card. 5. Apparatus for producing color cards comprising: a support; a conveyor mounted on said support and adapted to transport spaced cards at uniform speed; a carriage mounted on said support; applicators mounted on said carriage above said conveyor; means moving said carriage in translatory manner on a closed path whereby said applicators are adapted to engage and disengage successive cards on said conveyor while moving in the direction and at substantially the speed of the cards; means responsive to card position for initiating carriage movement to effect engagement of said applicators with a card; means responsive to carriage position for feeding liquid coloring material to said applicators; means reducing the speed of carriage movement when said applicators engage a card; means responsive to subsequent card position for interrupting the feed of coloring material to said applicators, and means responsive to said interrupting means for resuming full-speed carriage movement to effect disengagement of said applicators and a card. 6. Apparatus for producing color cards comprising: a support; a conveyor mounted on said support; a carriage mounted on said support; applicators mounted on said carriage above said conveyor; means moving said carriage whereby said applicators engage and disengage a card on said conveyor While moving in the direction and at substantially the speed of the card; means for initiating carriage movement to effect engagement of said applicators with a card; means for feeding liquid coloring material to said applicators; means reducing the speed of carriage movement when said applicators engage a card; means for interrupting the feed of coloring material to said applicators, and means for resuming full-speed carriage movement to eflect disengagement of said applicators and a card. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each applicator comprises:

a body member of greater width than the applied coloring material, the forward surface of said body memher having a generally rectangular recess extending from the lower edge thereof, said recess of Width equal to the width of the applied coloring material and of depth about equal to the thickness of the applied coloring material, the upper portion of said recess of depth about twice that of the remaining portion and communicating with a source of coloring material, and

a plate member secured to said forward surface of said body member and overlying said recess, the lower 1 edge of said plate member spaced above the lower edge of said body member by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the applied coloring material, the lower forward edge portion of said plate member tapering upwardly and outwardly from the bottom. 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each comprises: I

a first member of greater width than the applied coloring material, and I p a second member secured to the forward surface of said first member, the lower edge of said second member spaced above the lower edge of said first member by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the applied coloring material, the lower forward edge portion of said second member tapering upwardly and outwardly from the bottom, the engaging surface of said first and second members having a generally rectangular recess extending from the lower edge of said second member, said recess of width'equal to the width of the applied coloring material and of depth about equal to the thickness of the applied coloring material, the upper portion of said recess of depth about twice that of said remaining portion and communicating with a source of coloring material. 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each applicator comprises:

a first member of greater width than the applied coloring material, and a second member secured to the forward surface of said first member, the lower edge of said second Y member spaced above the lower edge of said first member by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the applied coloring material, the lower forward edge portion of said second member tapering upwardly and outwardly from the bottom, the engaging surface of said first and second members having a generally rectangular recess extending from the lower edge of said second member, said recess of width equal to the width of the applied coloring material and of depth about equal to the thickness of the applied coloring material. 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said carriage and said means moving said carriage include:

a pair of longitudinal members one on each side of said conveyor; a pair of spaced bearing members on each longitudinal member; I v. an eccentric member rotatably mounted in each bearing member, said eccentric members having similar orientation, and means for rotating said eccentric members in synchronism whereby said longitudinal members and said bearing members are translated on a circular path. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for initiating carriage movement includes:

a motor; a switch-actuated clutch connected between said motor and said eccentric members, and a switch for actuating said clutch, said switch adapted to be actuated by a card on said conveyor.

applicator 12. The apparatus of claim ll wherein said means reducing the speed of carriage movement includes:

a switch-actuated brake connected between said support and said eccentric members, and

a switch simultaneously applying said brake and disengaging said clutch, said switch adapted to be actuated when said carriage is in lowermost position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said means for resuming full-speed carriage movement to effect disengagement of said applicators and a card includes:

a second switch adapted to be actuated by a card on said conveyor, said second switch connected to and actuating said means for interrupting the feed of coloring material to said applicators, and

a switch actuated by said interrupting means, said last switch simultaneously releasing said brake and engaging said clutch when the feed of coloring material is being interrupted.

14. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for feeding liquid coloring material to said applicators includes:

a plurality of reservoirs containing coloring material;

a standpipe in each reservoir;

a valve unit in the lower portion of each reservoir connected to the lower end of said standpipe, said valve unit including a valve element between the lower end of said standpipe and the reservoir intenor;

a control valve for each reservoir having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a tube connected between'the lower end of each standpipe and the inlet port of a control valve;

a tube connected between the outlet port of each control valve and an applicator;

means actuating said control valves;

a manifold;

a tube connecting the upper end of each standpipe to said manifold;

a valve device connecting said manifold to a souce of pressurized gas, said valve device having a vent to atmosphere; and.

means opening said valve elements to admit coloring material to said standpipes and then closing same, and thereafter actuating said valve device to close said vent and admit pressurized gas to said manifold, whereby coloring material is fed to and through said control valves to said applicators.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 with the addition of means located between the lower end of each standpipe and the inlet port of a control valve for varying the flow resistance to accommodate liquid coloring materials of different viscosities.

16. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for feeding liquid coloring-material to said applicators includes:

a plurality of reservoirs containing coloring material;

a control valve for each reservoir having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a supply tube connected between each reservoir and the inlet port of a control valve;

a tube connected between the outlet of each control valve and an applicator;

means actuating said control valves; and

means periodically applying pressure to the liquid coloring material in said supply tubes, whereby coloring material is fed to and through said control valves to said applicators.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said control valves each have a plurality of outlet ports, and means selectively conditioning the respective outlet ports for communication with an applicator, whereby said apparatus may function to produce simultaneously a plurality of like color cards.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said reservoirs are generally rectangular in shape and comparatively narrow in width, said reservoirs detachably mounted on said support in side-by-side manner adjacent said control valves.

19. Apparatus for producing color cards comprising: means for transporting coloring sheet material at uniform speed; at least one applicator disposed above said transporting means; means for moving said applicator to engage and disengage the sheet material while moving in the direction and at substantially the speed of the sheet material; means for feeding coloring material to said applicator; means for reducing the speed of said applicator upon engagement with the sheet material; means for interrupting the feed of coloring material to said applicator, and means for resuming fu1l-speed applicator movement and effecting disengagement of said applicator and the sheet material. 20. The method for producing color cards comprising the steps of:

moving a card at uniform speed along a path; engaging the card with a printer which at the instant of engagement is traveling in the direction and at the speed of the card; feeding printing material to the printer immediately upon engagement thereof with the card; discontinuing the feeding of printing material to the printer; disengaging the printer from the card while both are traveling at the same speed, and returning the printer, in reverse direction, to starting position. 21. The method for producing color cards comprising the steps of:

moving coloring sheet material at uniform speed along a path; initiating movement of a printer from starting position; engaging the material with the printer which at the instant of engagement is traveling in the direction and at the speed of the material, thereby imprinting the material; disengaging the printer from the material while both are traveling at the same speed; returning the printer, in reverse direction, to starting position, and stopping the movement of the printer at starting position. 22. The method for producing color cards comprising the steps of:

moving coloring sheet material at uniform speed along a path; initiating movement of a printer from starting position; engaging the material with the printer which at the instant of engagement is traveling in the direction and at the speed of the material; reducing the travel speed of the printer while maintaining it in engagement with the moving material until printing in approximately desired length has been applied; increasing the speed of the printer to substantially the speed of the material;

disengaging the printer'from the material while both are traveling at the same speed;

returning the printer, in reverse direction, to starting position, and

stopping movement of the printer at starting position.

23. Apparatus for producing color cards comprising:

a support; 5

means moving coloring sheet material at uniform speed along a path in efiective relation with said support;

a carriage mounted on said support;

applicators mounted on said carriage above of sheet material;

means moving said carriage whereby said applicators engage and disengage said sheet material while moving in the direction and at substantially the speed of the sheet material;

means initiating carriage movement to effect engagement of said applicators with said sheet material;

means feeding liquid coloring material to said appli cators;

means reducing the speed of carriage movement when said applicators engage said sheet material;

means interrupting the feed of coloring material to said applicators, and

means resuming full-speed carriage movement to effect disengagement of said applicators and said sheet material.

24. Apparatus for producing color cards comprising:

a support;

means moving coloring sheet material at uniform speed along a path in effective relation with said support;

a carriage mounted on said support;

applicators mounted on said carriage above said path of sheet material;

means moving said carriage whereby said applicators engage and disengage said sheet material while moving in the direction and at substantially the speed of the sheet material;

means initiating carriage movement to effect engagement of said applicators with said sheet material;

means feeding liquid coloring material to said applicators;

means interrupting the feed of coloring material to said applicators, and

means initiating carriage movement to effect disengagement of said applicators and said sheet material.

said path References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,194,702 8/1916 =Bolger 118212 1,393,505 10/ 1921 Coates.

2,301,092 11/1942 Thompson et al. 118212 X 2,557,696 6/1951 Schaefer 118-1 2,559,175 7/ 1951 Stoever 118-1 2,619,901 12/1952 Harrold 101'177 2,757,636 8/1956 Stephens et a1 118-4l0 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH B. SPENCER, Examiner. 

1. THE METHOD OF PRODUCING COLOR CARDS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: MOVING A CARD AT UNIFORM SPEED ALONG A PATH; INITIATING MOVEMENT OF A PRINTER FROM STARTING POSITION; ENGAGING THE CARD WITH THE PRINTER WHICH AT THE INSTANT OF ENGAGEMENT IS TRAVELING IN THE DIRECTION AND AT THE SPEED OF THE CARD, THEREBY IMPRINTING THE CARD: DISENGAGING THE PRINTER FROM THE CARD WHILE BOTH ARE TRAVELING AT THE SAME SPEED; RETURNING THE PRINTER, IN REVERSE DIRECTION, TO STARTING POSITION, AND STOPPING THE MOVEMENT OF THE PRINTER AT STARTING POSITION. 